Under Eyes: Say No To Wrinkles & Hollowness
A long night working late or taking care of stressful tasks can show up on your face the next morning in the form of those horrid, dark under-eye circles. And unfortunately, the darkness can make you look and feel older than you really are.
Dark circles are tricky because there isn’t just one cause for them. Lack of sleep, dehydration, drinking too much alcohol, and even not eating a well-balanced diet can cause them. Although lifestyle factors can contribute, genetics can also come into play. Even something as simple as having deep tear troughs can create a dark shadow under your eyes.
If holding cold cucumbers under your eyes just isn’t cutting it, we have a few recommendations:
IPL
With Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Photorejuvenation, multiple different wavelengths of light are used on the skin. This causes the capillaries to go away completely or decrease in size. IPL can be used to treat under-eye circles caused by excessive melanin or prominent blood capillaries. The laser also breaks down melanin beneath the skin into tiny particles. These particles naturally are swifted away by the body’s lymphatic system, making this an effective treatment for dark circles on pale complexions.
The process can be completed in about 20 minutes and it is not painful, though you may feel a mild stinging. You can resume normal activities immediately, since there is no down time required. Although the skin may appear red or swollen for a few days. However, as you heal, your dark circles will begin to diminish. You will need between 1-3 sessions to achieve optimal results.
Dermal Fillers
Dark under-eye circles are defined as sagging tear troughs caused by low skin volume beneath the eyes. Filler can help restore the volume beneath the eyes to eliminate the appearance of dark circles. It also produces more noticeable results, making it a great choice if you have deeper hollows under the eyes.
Chemical Peels
A light chemical peel may also be a good choice to lighten dark pigmentation under your eyes. During the treatment the peel will be spread evenly over your skin in layers. Glycolic acid, retinoic acid, and hydroquinone are common peel ingredients.
Skincare
With repeated use, retinol can stimulate the production of collagen, making the skin less thin and improving the dark circles. It helps rebuild dermal collagen, thereby contributing to vascular support in the area, as well as the recovery of skin volume and firmness.
Sometimes dark circles are caused by increased pigment, either from rubbing or from sun damage. The best treatment for this includes topical lightening agents such as vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice extract. These ingredients help decrease skin pigmentation over time, ultimately resulting in the lightening of the dark circles. Invest in a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
At Home Remedies
The cheapest way to reduce the appearance of undereye bags is to get on a regular sleep routine of seven to eight hours per day. And don't drink alcohol a few hours before bedtime.
If dark, puffy bags seem to be the morning problem, consider sleeping on your back with an extra pillow so that fluid doesn't pool overnight. Keeping your pillow protected from allergens (dust and dust mites) with a protective encasement can also help when allergies are the culprit.
Caffeinated tea, which contains natural tannins, is a mild diuretic and long used by grandmothers and runway models for reducing eye puffiness. Soak two tea bags in warm water, then chill the bags for a few minutes in the refrigerator. Place one tea bag on each eye for five minutes, and your eyes will feel fresh and look brighter.
If you want to take control of your dark circles, our founder Erin Gordon, M.D. can help you! Simply contact us through our website today to begin the journey to a healthier and happier you.